PCN Vol 19; No 2 - Avian Scientific Advisory · PDF file(See PCN Vol 19; No. 1). ... the...

Penguin Conserva�on

The Penguin TAG Newsle�er Volume 19; Number 2 October 2015

In This Issue

From the Editors Penguins As Marine Sen�nels: Building Science and Educa�on Partnerships Page 2 Silicon Flipper Bands: A Method for Individual Iden�fica�on of Penguins In Human Care Page 5 Summary: 2014-2015 Penguin TAG Annual Report Page 8 Crea�ve Nes�ng: Maximizing Your Exhibit Space Page 9 Do You Waddle Play? Page 12 Building A SAFE Future Page 14 Using Enrichment To Create An Interac�ve African Penguin Encounter Page 16 Overview of Penguin TAG Popula�on Viability Analyses (PVAs) Page 20 9th Annual Penguin Congress: Call for Abstracts Page 22 AARP(enguins) Page 23 The Penguin Programme In Ski Dubai Page 29 Penguin Listserv Update Page 34 News and Updates Page 35 Recommended References Page 37 Events and Announcements Page 40

Penguin Conserva�on is supported by the Penguin TAG and published electronically bi-annually. For subscrip�on, ar�cle submission, and all other inquires contact the editors.

Editors: Linda Henry, [email protected] Jessica Jozwiak, [email protected]

Archived issues are available on the Penguin TAG website: www.zoopenguins.org

Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PenguinnTAG

From the Editors

In this issue we con�nue to feature informa�on presented at the Penguin Husbandry Workshop held during the 2015 AZA Mid-year Mee�ng. The workshop, jointly organized by the Avian Scien�fic Advisory Group (ASAG) and the Penguin TAG, included informa�on on a variety of topics. (See PCN Vol 19; No. 1). PowerPoints for all presenta�ons are available on the ASAG website www.aviansag.org in the “Member’s Only” sec�on. You can obtain the required password by con-tac�ng Colleen Lynch at [email protected].

In Penguins as Marine Sen nels: Building Science and Educa on Partnerships, Dee Boersma describes penguins as envi-ronmental sen�nels, aler�ng us to climate change, pollu�on and resource management issues. Penguins in human care can act as ambassadors for penguins in the wild. Dee explains how zoos and aquariums are in a unique posi�on to reach a large audience and can focus their message to create a connec�on between people and conserva�on in the wild.

Sharon Jarvis provides informa�on on the crea�ve techniques and structures used by zoos and aquariums to maximize and enhance penguin breeding space. Included are descrip�ons and photos of items that can be used to make tempo-rary or permanent changes to rookeries in Antarc�c/sub-Antarc�c and temperate penguin habitats.

Zoos and aquariums include enrichment in their habitats to elicit natural behaviors. These items and methods increase the well-being of the animal and also improve the guest experience. Michelle Hartman describes the unique ways pen-guin enrichment is used by twenty-five AZA ins�tu�ons.

Tricia McDeed describes the husbandry challenges AZA penguin managers face as the numbers of geriatric penguins in their care become more prevalent. She discusses how modifica�ons to the physical and social environment and medical care can provide the best welfare for penguins in the later years of life.

Popula�on biologists at the Lincoln Park Zoo / AZA Popula�on Management Center use computer models to analyze the demographics and gene�cs of AZA animal popula�ons. These Popula�on Viability Analyses (PVAs) determine each pop-ula�on’s long-term health and sustainability, and iden�fy key management strategies. In 2014, PVAs were completed for penguins. An overview is presented here.

Penguin guest encounters have become an increasingly popular way for zoo and aquarium visitors to connect with these charisma�c animals. Stacy Johnson describes how enrichment items and training were used to shape the behavior of African penguins par�cipa�ng in their guest interac�on program.

Frank Fischer provides a history of iden�fica�on methods used for penguins in the wild and in human care. He describes the advantages and disadvantages of each type of iden�fica�on method, from aluminum bands to transponders. In con-�nuing the quest to find the best possible iden�fica�on method, the St. Louis Zoo began tes�ng silicon bands designed by Bristol Zoo on their Humboldt penguins.

And finally, Peter Dickinson describes the development of the penguin program at Snow Penguin, Ski Dubai. This pro-gram provides a very unique, fun and educa�onal experience for guests. We congratulate the training team on receiving the IMATA 1st place award in the Research Advancements category for their work.

We thank all of those who contributed to this issue including Dee Boersma (University of Washington), Sharon Jarvis

(SeaWorld Orlando), Michelle Hartman (SeaWorld Orlando), Tricia McDeed (SeaWorld Orlando), Brent Johnson (Lincoln

Park Zoo), Lisa Faust (Lincoln Park Zoo), Lauren Mechak (Lincoln Park Zoo), Stacy Johnson (Denver Zoo), Frank Fischer (St.

Louis Zoo), Peter Dickinson (Snow Penguin, Ski Dubai) and Tom Schneider (Detroit Zoo). We also thank the AZA for al-

lowing us to reprint Building a SAFE Future.

Penguin Conserva�on Volume 19; Number 2 October 2015 Page 1

Penguin TAG Steering Commi�ee

Chair: Tom Schneider (Detroit Zoo)

Vice Chair: Heather Urquhart (New England Aquarium)

Secretary: Gayle Sirpenski (Mys�c Aquarium)

Members: Sherry Branch (SeaWorld Orlando), Colleen Lynch (Riverbanks Zoo and Garden), Steve Sarro (Smithsonian’s Na�onal Zoo), Ric Urban (Newport Aquarium), Susan Cardillo (Central Park Zoo), Mary Jo Willis (Denver Zoo), Stephanie Hue�ner (Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo), Diane Olsen (Aquarium at Moody Gardens), Geneve Darnell (Jacksonville Zoo), Mike Macek (St. Louis Zoo), Lauren DuBois (SeaWorld San Diego), Alex Waier (Milwaukee County Zoo)

Penguin TAG Mission: To provide leadership for the management

of penguins ex situ in order to maintain healthy, sustainable popula�ons for the purpose of:

♦ Engendering apprecia�on for these charisma�c species that are indicators of the health of marine and coastal environments.

♦ Promo�ng conserva�on concern and conserva�on ac�on through educa�on programs and internet resources.

♦ Furthering in situ conserva�on and research in support of ex situ management.

Penguin TAG Website: www.zoopenguins.org Penguin TAG on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PenguinnTAG

Penguins As Marine Sen�nels: Building Science and Educa�on Partnerships P. Dee Boersma, Ph.D. , Dept. of Biology, University of Washington, Sea"le, WA

Educa�ng Aquarium and Zoo Visitors

Each year over 181 million people visit aquariums and zoos in North America and 700 million visit worldwide (AZA 2015). The poten�al to posi�vely impact conserva�on through these visits is tremendous, which is why the main role of zoos and aquariums should be educa�on. Most people will never see gorillas, sharks, or pen-guins in the wild. Once people are introduced to wildlife, seeing these animals and experiencing them in a personal way, they become interested in their natural history and what these species need to survive in the wild.

Caring for animals is costly, as they require feeding, housing, and frequent a�en�on. Cap�vity is, therefore, of very limited value in maintaining biodiversity. At best, cap�vity may buy a li�le �me for some species. If the focus of aquariums and zoos is on their educa�onal mission and the conserva�on of species in the wild, meaningful conserva�on may happen. Educa�on is key to raising funds to successfully keep viable popula-�ons of species in the wild. For conserva�on of wild animals to succeed, we need public support, financially and poli�cally. Animals and exhibits at aquariums and zoos can act as ambassadors, connec�ng the public to animals in the wild.

The best management, husbandry, and care may keep Species Survival Plans (SSP) successful in maintaining the gene�c diversity of the species intact for fiMy, or even one hundred, years or more, but these efforts are inadequate to conserve the species in the wild. People need to value species in the wild. The transforma�ve poten�al when a connec�on is made between seeing a species and helping the popula�on survive in the wild can alter the conserva�on path of a species so it has a future.

One of the ways to increase connec�ons between people and conserva�on in the wild is to tell stories about the lives and needs of the animals on display. The story of the species, habitat, and individual animals must be told compellingly. Signs providing the name of the species, where the species is found and its Interna�onal Union for the Conserva�on of Nature (IUCN) status are helpful, but do not make a compelling story. Stories are what make people care, think, and ul�mately act. Ideally, each visitor should leave the zoo or aquarium with a be�er understanding of: 1) the importance of keeping the species in the wild, 2) what the aquarium or zoo is doing to reach that goal through the support of marine protected areas, parks, and field conserva�on and 3) how, by their visit to the aquarium or zoo, they have contributed to the goal of keeping viable popula-�ons in the wild.

Using Our Cap�ve Creatures Crea�vely The natural charisma of penguins makes them ideal ambassadors to advocate for the health of our planet. Penguins are environmental sen�nels aler�ng people to everything from climate change to pollu�on (Boersma 2008). To conserve penguins in the wild, we need detailed knowledge of natural history, popula�on trends, and the threats impac�ng each species across its range. There are 18 species of penguins and the threats and needs of each species differ. Science can inform our decisions, and poli�cal pressure applied effec�vely can make these decisions s�ck.

To solve large conserva�on problems, we must go far beyond the AZA model of husbandry and rehabilita�on. Ins�tu�ons comprising the AZA can lead the way by working together to build new partnerships with govern-ments, NGOs, universi�es, and global ins�tu�ons dedicated to conserva�on in the wild. Educa�ng visitors in the value and nature of these partnerships can further the reach of conserva�on.

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What AZA Ins�tu�ons Can Do for Conserva�on A visit to an aquarium and zoo must be linked directly to conserva�on in the wild by focusing our message on what needs to be done and how visi�ng an aquarium or zoo contributes to species’ survival. Habitat loss and degrada�on caused by local human ac�vi�es are likely the greatest threats to biodiversity (Vié et al. 2009). The primary reason for having species in cap�vity is to help their chances of survival and well-being in the wild.

One of the first steps towards this goal is to alter exis�ng business models. Before each new exhibit is opened, the aquarium or zoo should provide evidence to the visitor of how their visit contributes to helping the species in the wild. A visitor needs to know how their visit is suppor�ng meaningful science and conser-va�on in the wild. There needs to be a story to engage the visitor about conserva�on needs for each species, where the animal is from and what is interes�ng about its biology and behavior. Every ins�tu�on should provide details about how the conserva�on of this species can be aided so visitors can become part of the solu�on.

Helping people fall in love with animals and their habitat mo�vates them to give to conserva�on. Seeing, watching, mee�ng, interac�ng with and touching creatures can alter people’s desire to help species and their habitats. Showing visitors how altering their lifestyle or dona�ng to conserva�on makes a posi�ve and tangible contribu�on to the survival of species in the wild can enrich their lives and those of the creatures they want to protect.

Simply put, a visitor should learn and believe that visi�ng the aquarium or zoo is an act of support for con-serva�on in the wild. Many zoos and aquariums are genera�ng funds for conserva�on in the wild. For exam-ple, upon opening the “Congo Gorilla Forest” in 1999, the Bronx Zoo imposed a separate entrance fee and vo�ng process to finance tropical African conserva�on (Conway 2013). Every new exhibit should follow this model, genera�ng funding for species in the wild. If funds are not going to conserva�on in the wild, the or-ganiza�on isn’t being an effec�ve conserva�on partner because the cri�cal need is to keep popula�ons in the wild healthy and robust.

Each visit should expose guests to how they can financially, poli�cally, and personally help species in the wild. Some of the messages may be complex but they need to be presented. For example, a small change in human harvest and consump�on pa�erns could benefit wild penguins. These seabirds eat small schooling prey such as fish, squid, or shrimp that we call forage fish. Visitors should learn that the commercial take of forage fish, that penguins and so many other seabirds depend upon, is oMen processed into fishmeal to feed farm-raised fish, chickens and pigs. We must use this protein resource more judiciously. Scien�fic evidence suggests that the harvest of forage fish should be limited to two thirds of exis�ng popula�ons (Pikitch et al. 2012, Cury et al. 2001). In other words, ocean ecosystems need about one third of the forage fish leM in the water to feed seabirds, sharks, whales and other marine life. In addi�on to fishmeal, many guests don’t know that forage fish are also used to make fish oil vitamins they themselves may consume.

If people understand the connec�ons between what they do and how it affects wildlife, they can modify their personal habits and foster poli�cal change in the harvest of forage fish. Ea�ng anchovy on your pizza is be�er for the health of our oceans than ea�ng farm-raised salmon that are fed fishmeal. Leaving one third of the forage fish in the ocean supports ecosystems, penguins, and people. Aquariums and zoos are in an im-portant posi�on to demonstrate these issues to visitors through their exhibits.

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While ins�tu�ons that comprise the AZA are keeping penguins alive in cap�vity, maintaining their gene�c diversity through SSPs and conduc�ng rehabilita�on programs, these essen�al ac�vi�es do not result in the conserva�on of species in the wild. Ins�tu�ons within the AZA must work together and there is room for im-provement in our collabora�on. The World Associa�on of Zoos and Aquariums Global Species Management plan has been slow to be implemented even though it focuses on husbandry and management. Though it was conceived in 2003, a decade later, the Global Species Management plan has only 4 ac�ve plans. How species are managed among ins�tu�ons, however, is less important than if conserva�on in the wild succeeds.

Conserva�on success in the wild alleviates pressure of cap�ve management. Working together globally for conserva�on success and funding conserva�on in the wild must become the norm. Boise, Idaho defines their zoo as “…a garden or park where wildlife is kept for exhibi�ons for the primary purpose of genera�ng funds for the conserva�on of animals in the wild.” Shouldn’t this be the only suitable purpose for cap�vity?

For success, ul�mately, the AZA must partner with global ins�tu�ons focused on conserva�on, such as the Interna�onal Union for the Conserva�on of Nature (IUCN), where a new Penguin Species Specialist Group is just geQng underway. In some cases, penguin conserva�on may mean buying land or helping governments establish Marine Protected Areas. Aquarium and zoo conserva�on ac�vi�es will be more effec�ve if part-nered with exis�ng field conserva�on efforts. Educa�on, the AZA’s most important tool, is needed to build meaningful science, conserva�on, and management programs to take advantage of the ambassador species we have in cap�vity. All our ins�tu�ons must be field-oriented conserva�on organiza�ons and seen by our guests as engines for funding and maintaining wildlife popula�ons in their na�ve habitat. The goal of cap�v-ity must be to maintain viable popula�ons in the wild.

References AZA website h�ps://www.aza.org/visitor-demographics/downloaded August 21, 2015.

Boersma, D. 2008. Penguins as Marine Sen�nels. BioScience. 58:597-607.

Conway, W. 2013. Why are Zoos doing Conserva�on? Proceedings of the 68th Annual Conference, World Associa�on of Zoos and Aquariums, 13-17 October 2013, pages 5-7.

Cury, P. M., I. L. Boyd, S. Bonhommeau, T. Anker-Nilssen, R. J. M. Crawford, R. W. Furness, J. A. Mills, E. J. Murphy, H. Osterblom, M. Paleczny, J. F. Pia�, J.-P. Roux, L. Shannon, and W. J. Sydeman. 2011. Global seabird response to forage fish deple�on—one-third for the birds. Science 334:1703–1706.

Pikitch, E., P. D. Boersma, I. L. Boyd, D. O. Conover, P. Cury, T. Essington, S. S. Heppell, E. D. Houde, M. Mangel, D. Pauly, É. Plagányi, A. Sainsbury, K., and R. S. Steneck. 2012. Li�le Fish Big Impact: Managing a Crucial Link in Ocean Food Webs. Lenfest Ocean Program. Washington, DC. Pages 1–108.

Vié JC, Hilton-Taylor C, and Stuart SN. 2009. Wildlife in a changing world-an analysis of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threat-ened Species. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. Acknowledgments I thank Popi Borboroglu, Caroline Cappello, Jack Cerchiara, William Conway, Craig Kasnoff, Tom Leiden, Sue Moore, Gordon Orians, and Tom Schneider for produc�ve conversa�ons and sugges�ons that improved the manuscript.


Silicon Flipper Bands: A Method for Individual Iden�fica�on of Penguins in Human Care Frank Fischer, Penguin Keeper, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO

The banding of penguins for individual iden�fica�on and monitoring has progressed over the last century from leg bands to flipper-bands. A number of different materials, including metals and plas�cs, have been used to make the bands. Different mechanisms of a�aching bands or tags have also been developed. The iden�fica�on of individual pen-guins for research in the wild or for management purposes in zoos and aquariums is an essen�al tool. Within the last twenty years, banding of free-living penguins has become a target of considerable scru�ny due to the nega�ve effects that banding has on flipper hydrodynamics in water, on longevity of birds, and on reproduc�ve success of several spe-cies of penguins. New technology has incorporated microchips, data loggers and other types of electronic tagging to monitor diving and foraging trips of penguins in human care versus those in the wild. This report will review past and current methods of marking penguins in all scenarios and offer silicon bands as an alterna�ve to metal bands or cable �es for iden�fying penguins in human care. Despite the short �me period and limited sample size in this trial, silicon bands show significant promise.

Historically, flipper banding of penguins originated in the 1940s to iden�fy wild penguins aMer ini�al leg banding proved unsuccessful. Two criteria were iden�fied for the development of a flipper band: 1) that the band would outlive the bird and 2) that the band would remain legible to read from a distance without the need to catch or handle the bird. Metal bands were applied to the proximal end of the flipper and became the norm for monitoring penguins. Ini�ally, alumi-num was the choice of metal as it was easily affixed to the wing, inex-pensive, and numerically imprinted. However, aluminum bands proved inadequate, as the bands wore out more readily, had a higher percent loss rate, were not suitable for long-term studies, and more important-ly, caused injury to wings. (Ludwigh 1967; Sladen & Penney 1960; Ainley et al. 1983) This type of band is no longer used in research for monitoring penguins.

As aluminum bands were found to be inadequate, field researchers turned to other types of metal. Monel, an alloy of copper and nickel, was thought to be an ideal op�on for banding seabirds due to its corrosion resistance in salt water. Monel bands did not work long term as they tended to open, causing damage to wings and therefore were not a reliable alterna�ve (Culik et al 1993). Other types of metal alloys were also inves�gated, as well as different methods for fas-tening the bands to the wing. However, research showed that penguins manipulate bands with fasteners, causing dam-age to the wings (Clarke & Kerry 1998). And bands manufactured from alloys were more expensive than stainless steel bands, which are now commonplace in penguin research.

Banding penguins using any type of metal band have been widely reported. As of 2006, nine studies have been pub-lished on six different species of free-living penguins. Four of the six species were shown to have deleterious effects on normal behavior as a result of metal bands being too �ght or too loose on the wings (Petersen et al.2005). Studies on several species of penguins detailing the increase in percent energy costs required to propel banded wings through the water and reduc�on of foraging efficiency prove that metal bands inhibit penguin behavior (Saraux et al. 2011; Fraser & Trivelpiece 1994; Culik et al. 1993; Stonehouse 1999). Addi�onal research on single and double-banded king penguins demonstrated a reduc�on in both breeding success and survival rate post–banding (Froget et al. 1998). Plas�cs have also been used for penguin iden�fica�on star�ng in the 1960s with the development of Darvic and Teflon. These plas�cs were rigid. Some required steel rivets to connect the two plas�c strips together around the wing but they had limited ability to expand during molt. Colored cable �es then became popular in zoos and aquariums aMer 1990 when the majority of ins�tu�ons holding penguins eliminated metal flipper-banding. Cable �es remain the primary method of flipper-banding penguins in human care. They are inexpensive, readily available, easily read from a distance, and can be removed and replaced during molt. Cable �es can be used in conjunc�on with transponders to keep accu-rate records of birds within an ins�tu�on as well as those individuals transferring to new ins�tu�ons. However, cable Con nued on


Photo 1. Silicon band on Humboldt penguin. Photo by Frank Fischer.


�es are not without disadvantages. Because they are made of hard plas�c they can constrict blood flow during molt and must be removed and replaced at the appropriate �me. Cable �es are unreliable for long-term iden�fica�on as they are prone to breaking in cold weather extremes.

As the emphasis shiMed from observing how long markers remained on penguins to how the bands were affec�ng the birds’ normal behavior, many penguin experts were calling for new methods of monitoring penguin behavior in the wild. New technology led researchers to develop alterna�ves to flipper-banding. This new technology involves implan�ng a transponder or microchip subcutaneously. The original study (Jackson et al. 2002) was conducted on Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) using transponder tags implanted under the skin. Iden�fica�on took place as tagged individuals passed over transponder readers buried underground along specific routes towards a colony. Handheld tag readers also allow for data collec�on on more sta�onary nes�ng birds.

The advantages of transponders include the elimina�on of feather wear, reduc�on of poten�al injury to flippers, the poten�al to track large numbers of birds, and unimpaired movement through water without the drag associated with metal flipper bands. However, there are several disad-vantages associated with transponders. They may not be suit-able for Spheniscus penguins that may not follow specific routes towards a colony. Transponders also have limited range, may be cost prohibi�ve, can be prone to failure aMer five years or migrate through and oMen out of the body, and are essen�ally invisible. This last aspect is par�cularly difficult because the majority of penguin research is s�ll done visually. The ideal system for monitoring both free-living and zoo and aquarium penguins would be a combina�on of transponders along with some form of visual iden�fica�on marker.

As a result, long-term markers are iden�fied as a necessity even though the detrimental effects of flipper-banding have been well documented. Mul�ple conferences and workshops have been convened over the last thirty years to redesign bands and banding methods (Fraser & Trivelpiece 1994; SCAR-Scien�fic Commi�ee on Antarc�c Research 1996; CCAMLR-Commission for the Conserva�on of Antarc�c Marine Living Resources 1982). The conclusions of these mee�ngs remind researchers that they need to fully understand the differences between types of bands, species of pen-guins, and even individual penguins within the same species in order to appropriately implement a banding program. For example, measurements were taken of Blackfoot penguin flippers during non-mol�ng and the maximum mol�ng periods (Jarvis 1970). The thickness of the flipper expanded from 10mm in the non-mol�ng period to 27mm in the maxi-mum flipper molt period. The width of the flipper expanded from 21mm to 30mm in respec�ve molt periods. The over-all expansion of the wing is significant during molt and may be characterized differently among birds, making the en�re banding process a guessing game. A metal band that is applied too �ght may cause more injury than a band applied too loosely. A metal band applied too loosely will create more drag through the water than a band applied too �ghtly. In a study on Li�le Blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) on Phillip Island in Australia, the decreasing survival rate of banded pen-guins was more evident in the year immediately following banding, showing the detrimental effects begin with the first molt following banding (Chiaradia & Kerry 1999).

Fieldwork on Blackfoot penguins (Spheniscus demersus) in South Africa’s Robben Island may add new informa�on to the penguin banding and iden�fica�on conversa�on. Along with research on cap�ve Blackfoot penguins at the Bristol Zoo, researchers have found that silicon bands or flexible bands have been successful (Barham 1999). The bands expand when penguins molt and create less drag as the flipper propels through the water resul�ng in reduced energy cost dur-ing foraging trips. Silicon bands are easy to apply, non-toxic, high-strength, UV resistant, easy to read from a distance, and non-invasive if damaged. Con�nued research will be necessary before implemen�ng a banding program directed towards free-living penguins, as reports from Robben Island suggest the birds are oMen able to remove the bands from their wings. Con nued on


Figure 1. Humboldt silicon ban dimensions. (Figure from Nigel Simpson, Bristol Zoo).


In January of 2014 two male and three female Humboldt penguins, Spheniscus humbold , at Saint Louis Zoo’s Penguin and Puffin Coast habitat were fi�ed with flexible silicon flipper bands purchased from the Bristol Zoo. The bands were a�ached on their wing then monitored to determine how long the bands would remain in place. The bands were being tested to withstand the varia�on in climate of a mid-western summer and a freshwater pool chilled to 45 degrees Fahr-enheit. A combina�on of le�ers and numbers were imprinted into the black silicon on both the inner and outer por�on of the band and the indenta�on was filled with white ink, making them readable from a distance. The bands have a rigid shape and conform to the shape of the wing close to the body to prevent the band from rota�ng and hiding the iden�fi-ca�on numbers (Photo 1). The outer por�on of the band is thicker than the inner por�on and the shape of the band is similar to the proximal end of the wing (Figure 1). The Humboldt penguin colony at the Saint Louis Zoo is outside throughout the year except during cold temperature extremes, when they are shiMed to inside holding. The expansion of the band to accommodate for the wing swelling during a penguin’s period of molt is of primary concern.

For penguins in human care, silicon bands may be a valid future solu�on for flipper-banding. The ease of applica�on is less stressful on the birds and because the bands expand there is no need to remove them during molt. The Saint Louis Zoo is commi�ed to purchasing silicon bands for iden�fica�on of its en�re Humboldt penguin colony and is considering their use on its sub-Antarc�c penguin species residing at the zoo. The price per silicon band is £1.80 Sterling or approxi-mately $2.80 per band. The cost to produce the bands is £0.33 Sterling or approximately $0.51 per band, with the pro-ceeds going to the penguin conserva�on program at the Bristol Zoo. (For addi�onal informa�on regarding the purchase of silicon bands from the Bristol Zoo please contact Nigel Simpson at [email protected]). The conversa�on may con�nue on how best to iden�fy free-living penguins for penguin studies, but at least silicon bands may become the new standard for penguins in human care.

References Ludwigh, J.P. (1967). Band loss- its effect on banding data and apparent survivorship in the Ring-billed Gull popula�on of the Great Lakes. Bird-Banding 38: 309-323.

Sladen, WJ.L. & Penney,R.L. (1960). Penguin flipper-bands used by the USARP bird-banding program 1958-60. Bird-Banding 31:79-82.

Ainley,D.G., LeResche, R.E. & Sladen,W.J.L. (1983). Breeding Biology of the Adelie Penguin, University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.

Jackson, S. & Wilson, R.P. (2002). The poten�al costs of flipper-bands to penguins. Func onal Ecology 16:141-148.

Clarke, J. & Kerry,K. (1998). Implanted transponders in penguins: implanta�on, reliability and long-term effect. The Journal of Field

Ornithology 69:149-159.

Fraser, W.R. & Trivelpiece, W.Z. (1994). Report: Workshop on Seabird-Researcher Interac ons, July 15-17, 1993, Mon cello, Minneso-

ta, USA. Office of Polar Programs, Washington, DC.

Jarvis, M.J.F. (1970). A Problem in Banding Penguins Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology Volume 41, Issue 1-2.

Chiaradia, A.F. & Kerry, K.R. (1999). Daily nest a�endance pa�erns and breeding performance in the li�le penguin Eudyptula minor at Phillip Island, Australia. Marine Ornithology 27:13-20.

Saraux, C., LeBohec, N.G., Durant, J.M., Viblanc, V.A., Gauthier-Clerc, M., Beaune, D., Park, Y-H., Yoccoz, N. G., Stenseth, N.C., LeMaho, Y. (2011). Reliability of flipper-banded penguins as indicators of climate change. Nature, 469:203-208.

Culik, B.M., Wilson, R.P. & Bannasch, R. (1993). Flipper-bands on penguins: what is the cost of a life-long commitment? Marine

Ecology Progress Series 98:209-214.

Stonehouse, B., (1999). Penguin banding: a �me for reappraisal? Marine Ornithology 27:115-118.

Froget, G., Gauthier-Clerc, M., LeMaho, Y. & Handrich, Y. (1998). Is penguin banding harmless? Polar Biology 20:409-413.

Barham, P. (1999). Design of plas�c flipper-bands. Penguin Conserva on 12:4-10.

Petersen, S.L., Branch, G.M., Ainley, D.G., Boersma, P.D., Cooper, J. & Woehler, E.J. (2005). Is Flipper Banding of Penguins A Problem? Marine Ornithology, 33:75-79.

SCAR (Scien�fic Commi�ee on Antarc�c Research) 1996.

CCAMLR (Commission for the Conserva�on of Antarc�c Marine Living Resources) 1982.


Summary: 2014-2015 Penguin TAG Annual Report Tom Schneider, Chair, Penguin TAG

♦ The annual report was submi�ed to AZA on 15 July.

♦ The Animal Care Manual (ACM) was published in June 2014 with a predicted revision due date of June 2019.

♦ With regard to field conserva�on and research projects the TAG did not di-rectly support penguin conserva�on programs in 2013. Many AZA ins�tu�ons support penguin conserva�on, research, and conserva�on organiza�ons. The African Penguin SSP works closely with SANCCOB to support and promote par�cipa�on in the Chick Bolstering Pro-ject. This successful conserva�on project rescues hundreds of abandoned chicks each year and returns them to the wild. Addi�onally, the SSP provided funding to purchase data loggers used by researchers to help track the move-ments of juvenile penguins to determine where new breeding sites could be established. The Humboldt Penguin SSP supports in-range census and protec�on of the Humboldt penguin colony at Punta San Juan in Peru.

♦ Current TAG Steering Commi�ee members and Advisors to the Steering Commi�ee:

Steering Commi�ee Advisors Tom Schneider - Detroit Zoological Society Educa�on - Elizabeth Mulkerrin, Henry Doorly Zoo

Heather Urquhart - New England Aquarium Sustainability - Colleen Lynch, Riverbanks Zoo

Gayle Sirpenski - Mys c Aquarium Medical - Roberta Wallace, Milwaukee Zoo

Mary Jo Willis - Denver Zoo Nutri�onal - Kerri A. Sli\a, Dallas Zoo

Lauren DuBois - SeaWorld San Diego Field - Pa�y McGill, Dallas Zoo

Alex Waier - Milwaukee County Zoo Field - P. Dee Boersma, University of Washington

Sherry Branch - Sea World of Orlando Field - Pablo Garcia Borboroglu, Global Penguin Society

Colleen Lynch - Riverbanks Zoological Park

Steve Sarro - Na onal Zoo Liaisons Rick Urban - Newport Aquarium WCMC - Sherry Branch, SeaWorld Orlando

Susan Cardillo - Central Park Zoo PMC - Sarah Long, Lincoln Park Zoo Stephanie Hue�ner - Omaha Zoo AZA - Candice Dorsey Diane Olsen - Moody Gardens Animal Welfare - Stephanie Allard, Detroit Zoological Soc.

Geneve Darnell - Jacksonville Zoo EAZA TAG - Pierre de Wit, Zoo Emmen

Mike Macek - St. Louis Zoo JAZA TAG - Masanori Kurita, Port of Nagoya Public Aq.

ZAA TAG - Nick Boyle, Taronga Zoo

♦ The TAG has worked with the PMC to complete Popula�on Viability Analyses for all program penguin species. Based on popula�on analyses from the PVAs and the history of the species in AZA ins�tu�ons, the TAG is recommending managing the two sub-species of gentoo penguins separately. The previous recommenda�on was to manage both sub-species as one popula�on. Recommenda�ons for the two sub-species will be made in the next BTP that is scheduled for fall 2015.

♦ All program leaders have completed Species Fact Sheets and these were included in the last RCP and are posted on the AZA website.

♦ The TAG held a half day Avian Scien�fic Advisory Group-sponsored Penguin Workshop at the Mid-Year AZA mee�ng on 23 March 2015. Copies of the presenta�ons will be available on the ASAG website and summaries will be includ-ed in the TAG's fall newsle�er, Penguin Conserva�on.

♦ The report also included an Animal Program Summary and Animal Program Roles, Goals and Essen�al Ac�ons for each species. This informa�on is available via the Member’s sec�on of the AZA website www.aza.org.


Crea�ve Nes�ng: Maximizing Your Exhibit Space Sharon Jarvis, Senior 1 Aviculturist, SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, FL

Twenty penguin holding facili�es gave input on different ways to u�lize and maximize exhibit space for penguin breeding. It doesn’t take long to see that penguin exhibits come in many sizes and shapes with varied land-scapes. The idea behind the original presenta�on was to collect ideas on the best ways to maximize land space for breeding.

One of the major ways that ins�tu�ons make more space for breeding is by annexing different back or support areas. Mys�c Aquarium (Photo 1), Pi�sburgh Zoo, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Cincinna� Zoo, and the New England Aquarium all u�lize support and/or off exhibit areas for breeding space. For burrow nesters, varied burrow sizes and shapes can help in-crease space. Submi�ed burrows included: kennels, whole or par�al ki�y li�er boxes (Photo 2), Rubbermaid® bins (Photo 3), igloos (Photo 4), con-structed A-frames (Photo 5), or natural landscape construc�ons (Photo 6). Ins�tu�ons that have snow machines, such as Omaha and SeaWorld Orlando, turn one or more of these machines off, thaw the snow pile, and then use the land space for breeding season. Some�mes the best way to create more breeding space is to use a barrier of some type to prevent a pair from monopolizing an area that could be used by mul�ple pairs. Common barriers include: real or fake rocks (temporary or permanently installed), ice and/or Plexiglas walls, or baby gates. (Photos 7 and 8).

There are also several ways to make difficult-to-access or unused areas of an exhibit more a�rac�ve. Small pla_orm nests can be constructed from fiber-glass gra�ng or feeding tubs with PVC pipe cut for legs. (Photos 9 and 10) These “starter” nests can be placed in areas that may not otherwise be op�-mal breeding areas. In exhibit areas consis�ng of higher or somewhat une-ven rockwork, sand bags made from �re inner tubes (Photo 11) or larger granite rock can be used to hem in nests and allow birds to build in areas that would not normally hold nests. Short pieces of PVC pipe cut in half can be placed under the sand bag to allow for drainage (Photo 12). The St. Louis Zoo has developed a unique way to tackle uneven areas as well. In house, they developed nest rings made out of fiberglass and sculp�ng epoxy (Photos 13 and 14). The nest rings are added to level areas and prevent the rocks from falling out of the nest.

Although I am not able to share all of the pictures, in closing, I would like to thank all the colleagues from each of the zoos and aquariums who responded to the listserv request for informa�on: Steve Ruscko, Racine Zoo; Bob Flores and Linda Weisenmiller, SeaWorld San Antonio; Samantha Griffin, St. Louis Zoo; Heather Neldner, Milwaukee County Zoo; Tamara King, Indianapolis Zoo; Jessica Jozwiak, Detroit Zoo; Katy Wozniak, Pi�sburgh Zoo; Mark Myers, Woodland Park Zoo; Jamie Ries, Minnesota Zoo; Aimee Greenebaum, Monterey Bay Aquarium; Heather Urquhart, New England Aquarium; Jen Ko�yan, Maryland Zoo; Gayle Sirpenski, Mys�c Aquarium; Diane Olsen, Moody Gardens; Lauren DuBois, SeaWorld San Diego; Stephanie Hue�ner, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo; Emily Macko, Brookfield Zoo; Crystal Crimbchin, Steinhart Aquarium; Anthony Nelson, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo; and SeaWorld Orlando. Con nued on page 10


Photo 1. Mys�c Aquarium off-exhibit African penguin breeding area, including halved heat-stretched PVC burrows.

Photo 2. New England Aquarium ki�y li�er box top nests.


Con nued on page 11


Photo 3. SeaWorld Orlando bin burrows.

Photo 4. SeaWorld Orlando igloo burrow.

Photo 5. SeaWorld San Diego A-Frame burrows. Photo 6. SeaWorld San Diego natural landscape burrows.

Photo 7. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo divider rock; made in-house.

Photo 8. SeaWorld Orlando ice wall with Plexiglas divider used here as a king chick corral.


Photo 9. SeaWorld Orlando small pla_orm nest. These can be cut to any size and/or shaped to fit spe-cific areas. SeaWorld San Diego and Pi�sburgh Zoo also use versions of pla_orm nests.

Photo 10. Detroit Zoo and SeaWorld Orlando use or have used modified feeding tubs for addi�onal or starter nests.

Photo 11. SeaWorld Orlando �re inner tube sand bag; valve is removed; tube is filled with sand; ends are cable-�ed.

Photo 12. SeaWorld Orlando sand bag nest with half sec�on of PVC pipe for drainage.

Photo 13. St. Louis Zoo nest rings.

Photo 14. St. Louis Zoo gentoos using nest rings.


Do You Waddle Play? Michelle Hartman, Senior 1 Aviculturist, SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, FL

The penguins in our care rely on us for food, "fun" and friends. Their en�re quality of life is in our hands. Our commit-ment to them helps create the "happiest", healthiest animals for guests to appreciate.

Close to 30 AZA accredited ins�tu�ons returned my enrichment survey for the purpose of the presenta�on. The seven-ques�on survey was posted on the AIG listserv [Eds note: listserv for the Avian Scien�fic Advisory Group www.aviansag.org] and a few personal emails were sent out. Many of the responding emails included photos and/or videos. There were many common requirements for enrichment items. Nearly all respondents listed that the items must:

♦ Be sturdy

♦ Not be too big or too small

♦ Be easy to clean

♦ Have a strict approval process

♦ Be used sparingly so as not to bore birds

♦ Be limited during breeding season

There were a few differences between many of the ins�tu�ons as to what their enrichment items consisted of and how they presented the items to their birds and guests. Several ins�tu�ons:

♦ Had set schedules (or at least tenta�ve) while others’ enrichment use was very random Include and oMen elicit guest interac�ons with the birds

♦ Permit guest dona�ons of toys

♦ Include breeding season and nes�ng items as reoccurring yearly enrichment

♦ Only use solid, synthe�c substrates while others u�lize natural and organic material

♦ Ensure keepers are available/accessible for ques�ons/concerns from guests

♦ Only give enrichment while supervised by keepers while others allow EEDs [Eds. note: Environmental Enrichment Devices] to be given without any keepers around

Other than being around for guest discussion, there are several reasons many EEDs are given only while supervised. Many zoos or aquariums have had past issues with and try to avoid:

♦ Items geQng stuck (or stuffed) in filtra�on systems

♦ Birds "hogging" items

♦ Birds becoming aggressive with one another

♦ A�empts at ma�ng with or incuba�on of item

♦ Injury

♦ Inges�on

♦ Frightened birds

Only a few respondents observed (out of the ordinary) benefits of using enrichment:

♦ Milwaukee County Zoo has seen a greater use of the pool, observed more social interac�ons and be�er play be-tween the birds, as well as no�ced birds with joint issues become more flexible.

♦ Georgia Aquarium u�lizes certain items during public programming to divert a�en�on away from unusual/crazy clothes guests some�mes wear. This allows for be�er interac�ons between those guests and the birds.

Con nued on page 13



♦ Cincinna� Zoo & Botanical Garden developed training sessions using enrichment to elicit more natural behaviors in the pool.

The majority of the presenta�on went through photos the zoos and aquariums had submi�ed of their enrichment items. Although many of the enrichment items we use can be classified many different ways, I had categorized each of them into one of the groups as follows:

♦ Physical toys on land or in the water: Balls, gela�n, colored ice, Kong® toys, Frisbees®, figurines, starfish/coral repli-cas, mirrors, disco balls/laser pointers, browse, etc.

♦ Interac�ons with keepers or guests: Guest feeds, interac�on through glass, husbandry/scale training, rela�onship building (just hanging out with birds), etc.

♦ Changing the environment: Props (large pumpkins, movable false rocks), snow mounds/sculptures, taking birds out-side their usual habitat, light strands/decals/drawings on other side of glass/acrylic panels, etc.

♦ Sound: Playing of music, ringing bells or chimes, playing sounds of other animals, etc.

♦ Feeding �me: Hand feeding, pouring fish in the water, trays/tubs of fish, freezing fish in ice or puQng in gela�n, fish inside balls with holes, live fish, etc.

A few common issues ins�tu�ons reported were dealing with “naughty” birds, dealing with skiQsh birds, how guests perceive EEDs and how the penguins are interac�ng with it. Penguins, if given the opportunity, like many animals, occa-sionally make their own enrichment by venturing into areas that were not meant for them. We have several penguins at SeaWorld Orlando that rou�nely porpoise out of the pool onto a piece of rockwork separa�ng two acrylic pool panels by our guest pathway. Occasionally, they overshoot the rock or go out over the acrylic panel itself to land on the guest pathway. Indianapolis Zoo reports their penguins are very skiQsh of any of their inflatable items and steer clear of the area they are in rather than approaching to inves�gate or “play” with them. As penguins are usually quite curious ani-mals, almost anything can be considered enrichment for them. Due to guest percep�on, however, we must be careful of what we give our birds to enjoy. In darker ligh�ng, some toys may be perceived as random trash thrown in by guests when they cannot make out what the item actually is. Similarly, things like plas�c bo�les filled with colored paper or gli�er, which Milwaukee County Zoo reported as one of their penguins’ favorite toys, will oMen also be perceived as random trash. To assist with this issue, many ins�tu�ons only give these items during �mes keepers or other staff mem-bers are available to clarify to guests what and why the items are with the animals. A few places, such as the Columbus Zoo, display signs explaining why poten�al items in animal habitats, that guests might find odd or out of place, are there. While most keepers find guests to be excited and amused by any enrichment they see our animals interac�ng with, not everyone finds happiness in their fun. The Monterey Bay Aquarium had someone complain that the bubbles they were using for enrichment were not scien�fic enough and too pet-like. We have all learned we can’t please everyone all that �me.

A few of the most unique ideas reported to me:

♦ Moody Gardens: piano mat like in the movie "Big"

♦ Milwaukee County Zoo: coconuts, colored golf balls

♦ Aquarium of the Pacific: iPad for cats game

♦ St Louis Zoo: playhouse

♦ Akron Zoo: guest feeding smelt – hand feed or water feed

♦ Memphis Zoo: guest shadows on sunny days, whiffle ball with fish inside a�ached to buoys to float in the water

♦ Racine Zoological Society: alpaca/llama hair and snake shed

♦ Caldwell Zoo: plas�c drinking straws used for nes�ng

♦ Brookfield Zoo: terns and grey gulls share the exhibit with the penguin breeding colony

Communica�on between our penguin-housing ins�tu�ons to share our enrichment ideas and issues with one another can only help our commitment to our birds. By expanding our enrichment base, we develop greater ways to ensure the "happiest", healthiest animals by how we provide their food, "fun" and friends.


Building a SAFE Future Kate Silver, a writer based in Chicago, IL

Reprinted by permission; original published in the May 2015 issue of Connect, the monthly publica on of the Associa on of Zoos

and Aquariums.

When Steve Sarro and Gayle Sirpenski traveled to South Africa last fall, they were shocked by what they saw. As the Associa�on of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) African Penguin Species Survival Plan® (SSP) coordinator and vice co-ordinator, respec�vely, they’d flown to Cape Town mul�ple �mes in the past to work with African penguins—a species that’s seen a severe decline in recent years. But on this trip, the drop in the penguin popula�on was so extreme it was actually visible. “It is on the table that if things don’t change, this species could easily become ex�nct in the wild in our life�me,” said Sarro. “And that’s devasta�ng to me.”

Sarro and Sirpenski were in South Africa, along with other AZA representa-�ves, to contribute to conserva�on efforts suppor�ng the African penguin as part of SAFE: Saving Animals From Ex�nc�on. In its first year, SAFE will focus on two addi�onal species and a class of fish—including cheetahs, western pond turtles and sharks. Six addi�onal species will be added in 2015, and AZA will then con�nue adding ten new species to the list each year for at least a decade. Sarro, who is curator at the Smithsonian Na�onal Zoological Park, in Washington, D.C., and Sirpenski, who is an animal management spe-cialist at Mys�c Aquarium, in Mys�c, Conn., were thrilled that penguins were selected as part of SAFE: Saving Animals from Ex�nc�on. “The fact that we were chosen, to me, validates all our hard work for the last 20 years,” said Sarro. “We want this species to survive in the wild. We want our children’s children to see African penguins in the wild.”

The Plight of the African Penguin The �ming for SAFE: Saving Animals From Ex�nc�on couldn’t have been be�er. No sooner had AZA added the African

penguin to the list, when they learned that a November 2014 conference was scheduled in Cape Town focusing on the

African Penguin Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP). A SAFE team, which included Sarro and Sirpenski, along with Dr.

Debborah Luke, AZA senior vice president for conserva�on and science; Joel Merriman, AZA director of conserva�on

ac�on planning; Rob Vernon, AZA senior vice president of external affairs; and Dr. Susie Ellis, execu�ve director of the

Interna�onal Rhino Founda�on, in Strasburg, Va., flew to the conference and par�cipated in mee�ngs with representa-

�ves of the South African Department of Environmental Affairs, South African Na�onal Parks, CapeNature and Southern

African Founda�on for the Conserva�on of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), along with others dedicated to the plight of African

penguins. They also toured penguin colonies at Boulders Beach/Burghers’ Walk, Robben Island and Stony Point, as well

as SANCCOB, the premiere bird rescue, rehabilita�on and research organiza�on in the region.

While in South Africa, the team learned that the current popula�on—an es�mated 17,263 breeding pairs—is the result of a more than 60 percent reduc�on in the popula�on that occurred between the years 2001 to 2009. That’s a huge change from 1956, when experts es�mate there were 141,000 breeding pairs in the wild. “Food and habitat loss seem to be the things that are really limi�ng these birds from any kind of recovery,” said Sirpen-ski. “There are so many forces working against African penguins right now.” Sirpenski said the challenges associated with food stem from two disruptors: an increase in commercial fishing and the fact that the fish the penguins eat—anchovies and sardines—have shiMed loca�on. At some of the colonies, Sirpenski said, food is so sparse that penguins will spend three or four days foraging for what, at one �me, was readily available. To make ma�ers worse, Sirpenski said the lack of food puts chicks at risk of being abandoned by their parents. In 2014, she said more than 500 chicks were taken to the SANCCOB rehabilita�on facility for rearing because of abandonment.

Con nued on page 15



Nest building has also presented a challenge. In the past, the birds burrowed deep into their own guano that had accu-mulated over years. The material would maintain a moderate temperature, never geQng too hot or cold. It wouldn’t flood, and it protected the birds from predators. But some�me in the 19th century, humans discovered that the guano was an excellent fer�lizer and harvested it, leaving the penguins vulnerable and without shelter. Ever since, colony man-gers have experimented with a number of different ar�ficial habitats but have yet to find the perfect solu�on as flood-ing, temperature extremes and protec�on from predators have all been issues.

And then there are oil spills. Around 30,000 penguins died in oil spills in 1994 and 2000. That threat will only con�nue to grow—in the next ten years, up to 30 new oil rigs are being built off shore of the eastern colonies where nearly half of the penguins’ breeding takes place. Sirpenski thinks back to the year 2000, when she and Sarro flew to Cape Town to help out aMer the MV Treasure sank off the coast of South Africa, spilling more than 1,300 tons of oil. Nearly 20,000 birds were covered in oil, says Sirpenski, and thanks to an interna�onal response, rescuers were able to clean and re-lease almost 18,000 of them. “That was a huge success,” she said. But she worries that in the future, with dwindling numbers it may be more challenging. “That could wipe out this popula�on,” she said. “If there was another big spill, that would be it.”

S�ll, there’s hope. Both Sirpenski and Sarro have watched the popula�on of African penguins increase drama�cally in managed programs at AZA-accredited facili�es. “If we didn’t control our breeding in zoos and aquariums, we’d be up to our armpits in birds because they are that prolific,” said Sirpenski. “When they’ve got food and appropriate shelter and they’re healthy, they will rear lots and lots of babies”. By contribu�ng to the ongoing conserva�on efforts in South Afri-ca, Sirpenski hopes the AZA can make an impact. “I think with our marke�ng power and the resources that we have, we can really gain some momentum for this program,” said Sirpenski. “I think we can do really good things and make a difference for the African penguin.”

The Power of Numbers AZA members have a lot to offer when it comes to conserva�on. Among its 220-plus members, AZA-accredited facili�es contribute approximately $160 million to field conserva�on efforts each year, said Dr. Debborah Luke. Within the organ-iza�on there are more than 25,000 scien�sts, animal care experts and field conserva�onists caring for more than 750,000 animals represen�ng approximately 7,000 species. And then there’s the audience. “Our members have a reach of more than 180 million people per year coming through the gates. That’s more than the a�endance at all professional spor�ng events in America combined, annually,” said Luke. Because of that, said Luke, the AZA community is in a posi-�on to contribute to marke�ng, educa�on, research and outreach in a way that will make SAFE: Saving Animals From Ex�nc�on the largest and most comprehensive effort by AZA members to date—and at a cri�cal �me. According to the World Wildlife Fund’s 2014 Living Planet Report, the number of mammals, birds, rep�les, amphibians and fish across the globe has declined 52 percent since 1970. The Interna�onal Union for Conserva�on of Nature (IUCN) lists 22,176 species listed as threatened, with 21 percent of those considered cri�cally endangered, and climate change posing an increasing threat.

“SAFE: Saving Animals From Ex�nc�on is going to provide leadership for helping certain species of animals from becom-ing ex�nct”, said Luke. Right now, Luke says the SAFE conserva�on and science team is in the process of devising three-year conserva�on ac�on plans for each of the first three species and one class, which will outline specific projects, needs, funding and resources. Within those plans, the possibili�es for conserva�on contribu�ons are endless. Luke said that during the trip to South Africa, the par�cipants discussed a number of ways that AZA members could play a leading role, from tes�ng the viability of synthe�c habitats in U.S. zoos and aquariums to traveling to South Africa and con-duc�ng tests on penguin feces to determine stress levels in the dwindling popula�on.

Although it’s early, Joel Merriman says the response from AZA members has already been impressive. “It has generated an incredible amount of enthusiasm within the community, and we are geQng a very posi�ve response from people at all levels,” said Merriman. “Almost everybody that we speak to thinks we’re doing the exact right thing. People are very interested in finding out how they can be involved.” Luke emphasizes that it’s that spirit of collabora�on that will make SAFE: Saving Animals From Ex�nc�on a success. “I think of AZA as a convener and a coordinator. There are so many re-markable conserva�on programs being led and developed by AZA-accredited facili�es and partner organiza�ons and each, in its own way, is making a valuable contribu�on to saving endangered species and habitats. SAFE: Saving Animals From Ex�nc�on will endeavor to bring these efforts together and support them in a coordinated fashion while growing and enhancing the overall conserva�on impact of the AZA-accredited community,” said Luke. “That’s what we’re trying to do.”


Using Enrichment to Create an Interac�ve African Penguin Encounter Stacy Johnson, Bird Keeper, Denver Zoo, Denver, CO

Introduc�on Denver Zoo has been offering informal penguin tours with one of our African pen-guins, Maddy, for several years. In 2013, Animal Adventures: Penguin Encounters began as an official paid tour offered to our guests. This guided tour begins a be-hind-the-scenes look of Bird World (an indoor facility for several bird species) and ends with an African penguin encounter.

Maddy (7 years old) had to be hand raised by keepers when it was discovered her parents were not feeding her appropriately. Because of this, Maddy was already imprinted on humans so she transi�oned easily when mee�ng new people during informal encounters. Following the Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recom-menda�on, Maddy was paired with her recommended breeding mate. While Maddy focused on this pair bonding, we knew we were going to be in need of an-other ambassador penguin for our encounter program in order to con�nue edu-ca�ng our guests about these endangered birds.

Juniper (Photos 1 & 2) hatched May 9, 2013 and was returned to her parents for parent rearing un�l 30 days of age, at which point she was hand raised by a few keepers. Our goal was to de-sensi�ze her to being handled and being around new people in prepara�on for the Animal Encounter Pro-gram. Unfortunately, Juniper contracted avian malaria at around 55 days old and had to be nursed back to health. This meant all interac�ons had to cease un�l she made a full recovery. The healing process took over three months, and as a result, Juniper had a major setback with being around people she did not know. We knew immediately we were going to have to try different techniques in order to get Juniper comfortable with the Animal Encounters and being around strangers.

The Penguin Encounter Program The program was originally designed to provide guests with knowledge of African penguins, both in the wild and in zoos. Guests were allowed to sit on the floor and a keeper would bring in Maddy for an encounter. Maddy is extremely friendly with anyone and as she made her pass around the room, guests would be able to touch her. At the same �me, keepers educate the guests on the Denver Zoo penguin flock, the husbandry of penguins, and also the problems African penguins face in the wild.

Since we knew we were planning on temporarily pulling Maddy out of the program for several months in order to pair her with her SSP selected mate, we started bring-ing Juniper in the encounter room, with Maddy to get her acquainted with the room. As soon as Juniper was comfortable entering the room voluntarily, we slowly started adding several keepers that Juniper was not used to seeing on a daily basis to begin acclima�ng her to the program. Juniper was very nervous around strangers, s�cking close to the keepers that raised her. We asked Denver Zoo staff to begin volunteering their �me with Juniper so that she could be exposed to all types of clothing and accessories. She also needed to be calm around all ages and large groups of people, so we also asked that staff bring in their families with kids 6-12 years old. It took sev-eral months of introducing Juniper to other bird keepers, and other Denver Zoo staff, before she was com-fortable moving around the room and interac�ng with other people on her own without being guided by her familiar keepers. Con nued on page 17


Photo 1. Juniper 9 months old.

Photo 2. Juniper 1.5 years old.


Once Juniper was comfortable with zoo staff, we started having her do tours on her own; by this �me she was approximately 9 months old. We realized as a juvenile, she was extremely curious about everything, including jewelry, clothes, fast hand movements, etc., and she began nipping at all these new and exci�ng items. She was also scared of younger children, mostly due to their faster movements. We didn’t want her to become aggressive as a re-sult these responses. We would need a rou�ne that would work for Juniper, while also s�ll being a great interac�ve and educa�onal program for our zoo guests.

In the encounter room we asked the guests to sit on cube-shaped seats dur-ing the interac�on instead of on the floor to reduce the chances of Juniper bi�ng someone. This quickly caused Juniper to lose interest in visi�ng with our guests and she would just stand in the corner. Keepers tried moving around the room to encourage her to interact, but she would just remain close to the keepers. When a guest moved their hands to touch her as she came near, she would be a�racted to the movement and would try to bite them. As a result, we began asking people not to touch her so our guests would not get hurt. AMer many discussions on how to curb this poten�ally aggressive behavior, enrichment was a tac�c we thought might keep her focused on an item instead of people’s movements. The Enrichment Our penguin flock enjoys various types of enrichment, such as boomer balls, ice blocks, sprinklers, and bub-bles. We were hopeful enrichment would lengthen Juniper’s a�en�on span and increase her interac�ons with guests. We wanted items that would be fun for the guests, safe for all of the encounter penguins and also create a distance between the guests and their beaks.

The first enrichment item we tried with Juniper was a peacock feather (Photo 3). This immediately grabbed her a�en�on. The feather is passed around from guest to guest encouraging Juniper to chase it around the room and interact with each guest (Photo 4). She will oMen chase it, go back to her keepers, and then run back over to the feather.

Other enrichment items used are felt string (Photo 5), small plas�c springs (Photo 6), sisal tub-ing (Photo 7), wiffle balls, and �n foil balls. So far, peacock feathers seem to hold Juniper’s a�en�on the most. She now waits underneath the enrich-ment shelf in the encounter room, expec�ng her enrichment any �me she is in that room, whether with paid guests or with her keepers.

Con nued on page 18


Photo 3. Juniper using peacock feather.

Photo 4. Guests using the peacock feathers during a paid encounter.


Recently we started working with two new juveniles, Ramon and Rylie (Photo 8), to begin rota�ng with Maddy and Juni-per for the encounters. Using enrichment for these new juveniles was also a huge success in geQng them comforta-ble with the room and with people (Photo 9). They were so

relaxed in the room that at 3 months old, they were ready to be involved in the tours and now find the peo-ple way more interes�ng to be near than their enrich-ment!

The penguins’ interac�ons with the enrichment items illus-trate their natural behaviors, while we educate our guests. We are able to discuss their keen vision and a�rac�on to movement, and how they use these senses for hun�ng fish in the wild. Guests can also discover how inquisi�ve they are and how this curiosity could cause problems for these birds in the wild.

Other Benefits of the Enrichment Program Keepers have been working with the African penguin flock on volun-tary scale training (Photo 10). The flock has two scheduled feedings that are open for guest view at the zoo. Due to these feeding demon-stra�ons, using food as a reward for our flock is not an op�on during training sessions. Instead, keepers use enrichment as the reward for par�cipa�ng.

Denver Zoo houses 23 African penguins. From that group, only six have not par�cipated in the training. Those six are the main breeding adults who do not appear to have any interest in geQng on the scale. The scale does have to be placed in a “neutral zone” that is not too close to any par�cular pairing’s kennel or less dominant birds will not par�cipate. Also, not every bird par�cipates in every training session but of the par�cipa�ng birds, weights can be obtained about once a month.

Enrichment used for the scale training differs from that used in the encounter room. During scale training, the penguins can choose an acrylic target s�ck (of which they actually prefer the handle por�on) or a small plas�c wand. There are other varie�es of enrichment offered to them while on exhibit and also while in holding. We withhold the special enrichment both for training and the en-counter room.

Conclusion From the start of this program, it has been very important that we keep the encounter penguins fully inte-grated with the flock. When the birds are not par�cipa�ng in tours, they reside with the rest of the African penguin flock. We want to ensure SSP-recommended breeding con�nues to take place and to not put addi-�onal stress on a mol�ng penguin, therefore if a bird is nest building, incuba�ng eggs, prepping for molt or in molt, they do not par�cipate in the program. Con nued on page 19


Photo 5. Felt string.

Photo 6. Plas�c spring.


We have gone through many trials with Juniper, and the other encounter birds, to create a fun and interac-�ve program, not only for our guests, but also one in which the birds want to voluntarily par�cipate. It has taken a lot of �me and effort, but the result has been wonderful. We have seen the birds’ confidence in en-tering a room full of strangers increase tremendously, especially for Juniper.

Staff and guests have given us posi�ve feedback of how excited they were to par�cipate in the program, even if they couldn’t touch a penguin. Enrichment has allowed our guests to have a special connec�on with these amazing birds. Excited guests can take their experience in a zoo seQng home to help them make changes cri�cal to the conserva�on of African penguins and other animals around the world.

Acknowledgements The managers in the bird department have been great in helping us problem solve and achieve our goals. Several other keepers and staff members of Denver Zoo have also graciously volunteered their �me to help Juniper and our newest youngsters, Ramon and Rylie, to become acquainted with strangers. And a big thank you to Travis Garre� (penguin keeper) for all his help, support and ideas! I have been so thankful to be a part of this program. All of the birds involved inspire me every day.


Photo 7. Sisal tube.

Photo 8. Ryle and Ramon’s first �me in the encounter room.

Photo 9. Ryle and Ramon using enrichment with an intern. Photo 10. Scale training in the exhibit with a target s�ck.

Overview of Penguin TAG Popula�on Viability Analyses (PVAs) Brent Johnson, Popula on Biologist, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL

Lauren Mechak, Popula�on Biologist, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL Lisa Faust, Vice President of Conserva�on and Science, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL

Maintaining sustainable zoo and aquarium popula�ons is cri�cal if AZA ins�tu�ons are to con�nue to serve as advocates for conserva�on and educa�on. An important new toolset to help zoo managers predict the future demographic and gene�c status of AZA Animal Programs are Popula�on Viability Analyses (PVAs). PVAs are computer simula�on models that provide more in-depth analyses than those in an SSP’s Breeding and Transfer Plan, which typically focus on the short-term ac�ons needed to manage a popula�on from year to year. PVAs are long-term analyses that incorporate historical studbook data and current zoo management prac�ces to determine the trajectory of a popula�on over the next 100 years. PVAs explore what happens if management con�nues as it has been occurring recently (over the past 10 years) and addi�onal scenarios are used to explore how specific ac�ons, such as increased breeding rates or increased space, would improve the popula�on’s sustainability. A team from the Alexander Center for Applied Popula�on Biology (Lincoln Park Zoo), the Popula�on Management Center, and the AZA is conduc�ng PVAs for AZA TAGs un�l December 2016 with funding from the Ins�tute of Museum and Library Services. Together with Program Leaders, Studbook Keepers, and the TAG Chair, our team completed PVAs for all popula�ons within the AZA Penguin TAG in 2014 and into 2015.

At the �me of the analyses, AZA penguin popula�ons are generally large in size, with many founders, high gene diversity, and very low inbreeding. Penguins have high popularity and demand among AZA zoos and aquariums and are likely to remain a desired part of collec�ons in the long term. However, AZA penguin pro-grams do face certain challenges to their persistence, which the PVAs helped iden�fy, including:

1) Space limita�ons, which are most notable among Antarc�c species that require indoor, refrigerated ex-hibits.

2) Breeding effort and exper�se are focused at few ins�tu�ons for some programs, making the popula�ons more vulnerable to changes in ins�tu�onal interest and catastrophic events such as disease outbreaks or natural disasters.

3) Mortality and fecundity data for older age classes are limited for the majority of penguin popula�ons that were established in the 1980s. As a result, managers are not certain about the maximum longevity and breeding ages for many popula�ons. This is especially noteworthy given that these popula�ons re-tain large cohorts of older penguins from when the popula�ons were established, and it is unknown when these animals will age out; if this occurs in a big enough pulse, popula�ons may experience abrupt declines and need to compensate with increased breeding.

Despite these challenges, PVA results suggest that all AZA penguin popula�ons could be sustainable in the long term with either no changes or reasonable adjustments in management. Two of the popula�ons ̶ chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarc cus) and macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) ̶ are projected to persist at or above their current size over the next century under average breeding rates from the past decade (and average import and export rates as applicable). Eight of the other popula�ons could remain near their cur-rent sizes or grow to fulfill increasing ins�tu�onal interest by maintaining higher breeding rates. On average, these popula�ons are recommended to increase breeding by ~3 hatches per year, but recommenda�ons range from 1 to 6 addi�onal hatches per year. For the two smallest popula�ons, li�le blue (Eudyptula minor) and long-crested rockhopper penguins (Eudyptula moseleyi), a balance between increased breeding and in-creased importa�on could improve both their demographic and gene�c outlook. Rather than increasing

Con nued on page 21



reproduc�on, gentoo (Pygoscelis papua ellsworthi and Pygoscelis p. papua) and king penguins (Aptenodytes

patagonicus) could be kept demographically stable by reducing exporta�on out of AZA. For certain popula-�ons, focusing breeding efforts at few ins�tu�ons may be a valuable management strategy for developing op�mal husbandry prac�ces and increasing hatch rates. However, spreading breeding among a greater num-ber of zoos and aquariums could help to share husbandry knowledge, maintain even gene�c representa�on of founder lineages, and reduce risks associated with catastrophic events at one or more ins�tu�ons. Popula-�ons that could benefit from spreading breeding among ins�tu�ons include Adelie (Pygoscelis adeliae), chinstrap, king, macaroni, and short-crested rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome).

Under the alternate management strategies explored through our use of PVAs, we believe that AZA penguin popula�on can con�nue to remain robust in size with good gene�c health over the next 100 years. Our re-sults es�mate that, with adjustments in management, the popula�ons could collec�vely grow from approxi-mately 3100 individuals to nearly 3500 individuals over the next 25 years. As members of the Penguin TAG and wider zoo community, it is important to con�nue working with your Program Leaders to assist in SSP sus-tainability, whether it is focusing on producing the target number of hatches among ins�tu�ons as iden�fied by the PVA, helping to place new individuals among AZA zoos and aquariums and reduce exporta�on, or partnering to bring addi�onal individuals into small popula�ons. PVA reports for the penguin popula�ons are available on the AZA webpage for those with AZA membership and can be distributed to anyone involved in these programs. Results from the PVAs are also being incorporated into the Penguin TAG’s next Regional Collec�on Plan (RCP). In combina�on with Breeding and Transfer Plans, RCPs, and other program resources, PVAs are a valuable tool when seQng goals and objec�ves for managing sustainable penguin programs long into the future.

I have oCen had the impression that, to penguins, man is just another penguin --

different, less predictable, occasionally violent, but tolerable company when he sits s ll

and minds his own business.

—Bernard Stonehouse, 1968


9th Interna�onal Penguin Congress Avenue, Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa

5-9 September 2016

Dear IPC9 Delegates

Herewith the 3rd Announcement for IPC9:

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS Dates for Abstract Submissions The call for Abstracts is now open and will close at the end of December 2015. For those of you that will be in the field and not able to make this deadline please contact the Chair at [email protected].

Call for specific sessions ♦ Submissions from all aspects of penguin science are welcome. We would however welcome submissions on the

following two aspects:

♦ Given the grave conserva�on status of penguins globally, we would like to have a session that highlights how science is informing conserva�on management strategies and implementa�on that mi�gate threats to penguins

and improves their popula�on trajectory.

♦ Submissions that showcase how zoos and aquaria support penguin conserva�on efforts in the wild. Format The format for abstract submissions can be found on the website (www.penguincongress.org). Please email abstracts to: [email protected] and put ‘Abstract submission’ in the subject line.

Invita�ons to propose workshops For those delegates who would like to host conference workshops, please could you contact the chair at [email protected] and put ‘Workshop proposal’ in the subject line. For any further enquiries, please use the following email address: [email protected].

Please pass this announcement along to any interested colleagues and friends. If you would like to be added to our mail-ing list please send an email with the word ‘subscribe’ in the subject line to [email protected].


AARP(enguins) Tricia McDeed, Senior Aviculturist, SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, FL

Geriatric penguins in a zoological seQng are becoming increasingly prevalent across AZA ins�tu�ons. This longevity speaks to the husbandry exper�se demonstrated by zoo professionals but at the same �me creates new challenges and oMen the need for husbandry modifica�ons to address the changing social, environmen-tal and medical needs of elderly birds. While euthanasia plays a small part in what we do, the responsibility is immense and the decision to euthanize must be reached humanely and respec_ully. Many ins�tu�ons have implemented a Risk Assessment Tool to aid them in this process. AMer all, aging is a part of life and it is our responsibility to keep that in mind when moving forward with a colony of geriatric penguins.

Topics that will be discussed include the history of penguins in a zoological seQng, defining “geriatric”, age-related diseases, husbandry modifica�ons including environmental, social, and medical treatments, public percep�on, and euthanasia.

Frank Todd, the then Corporate Curator of Birds at SeaWorld San Diego, California and working with the Na�onal Science Founda�on collected penguin eggs between 1983 and 1988 from the Sub-Antarc�c regions. Seven species were hand reared by trained staff. Historically, this was the first and largest, sustainable colo-ny of penguins. These founder birds provided offspring which helped to populate new and old penguin ex-hibits all over the world, helping disperse the gene�cs.

A ques�onnaire about geriatric penguins was submi�ed to the IR (Ins�tu�onal Representa�ves), the TAG IR (Taxon Advisory Group) and the AAZV (American Associa�on of Zoo Vets). Twelve species of penguins were represented in their responses, including the Magellanic Spheniscus magellanicus, African Spheniscus

demersus, Humboldt Spheniscus humbold , king Aptenodytes patagonicus, emperor Aptenodytes forsteri, fairy Eudyptula minor, northern rockhopper Eudyptes moseleyi, southern rockhopper Eudyptes chrysocome, macaroni Eudyptes chyrsolophus, gentoo Pygoscelis papua, chinstrap Pygoscelis antarc cus, and Adelie Pygoscelis adeliae penguins.

Defining the word geriatric was leM open to interpreta�on. Half of the responses considered 15 years as the beginning of the “golden years” and the other half thought that 20 years was a more appropriate age. Repu-table resources claim 20 to 25 years is the average lifespan of a penguin in a natural seQng. Richard Weigl, a recognized authority on the longevity of cap�ve animals, currently working at the Frankfort Zoo in Germany, has collected data of the oldest living or deceased penguins in cap�vity, worldwide. Some of his research includes a wild caught 40 year old King penguin s�ll alive today, as well as thriving 40 plus year old Adelies that were also wild caught. Most common medical concerns seen in geriatric penguins include arthri�s or degenera�ve joint disease, gout, cataracts (Photo 1), aspergillosis (Photo 3), abnormal eggs, pododerma��s (Photo 2), overgrown nails and bills, broken or cracked bills, neoplasia, and athero-sclerosis. Improper ligh�ng and physical moves are known to be stressful on older birds causing them to par�ally molt or not molt at all (Photo 4).


L to R, Photos 1-4, Cataract L eye, bilateral pododerma��s, aspergillosis lesions, abnormal molt pa�ern. Photos taken at SeaWorld Orlando by

the aviculture and veterinary staff.

Con nued on page 24


Husbandry modifica�ons used to aid the elderly are broken down into three categories: environmental, social, and medical:

Environmental Since compe��on for food can be a major challenge for older birds, supplying trays of fish on land in several loca�ons will help suppress the problem. Target feeding hydrated fish (fish injected with water or electrolyte solu�on) to the underweight birds can be beneficial, especially when elevated uric acid levels are present, a symptom of early renal dysfunc�on. Encouraging them to swim with the mo�va�on of their favorite food items offered in the pool helps get them off of their feet and prac�cing their natural behaviors – fishing! Offering ramps for easy access in and out of the pool versus steps eases the challenge in arthri�c birds. SoM substrates such as indoor/outdoor carpe�ng can comfort those who spend much �me lying down or suffer from arthri�s. Changing their environment can be beneficial; at SeaWorld San Diego their geriatric macaroni penguins were moved into a “cool” room from their original freezing habitat. This warmer temperature not only improved their behavior, but also their physical appearance.

Exhibits housed outdoors have the extreme temperature challenges. On hot days, facili�es have planted shade trees, installed sprinkler systems, and built a cool room on and off exhibit. On cold days, the Bronx Zoo provides pine needles and juniper prunings for burrows because they do not degrade as quickly as grasses or other leafy materials. Many facili�es add hea�ng elements such as heat lamps and pig blankets, core, and radiant electric heaters. Future penguin habitats should consider including a re�rement area alongside the colony versus isola�on away from the colony, offering fla�ened land space with ramps in and out of the pool.

Social Treatment When geriatric penguins have to remain dry for certain treatments possibly leaving them isolated from the colony, providing a mate or buddy for the dura�on of the treatment can help prevent pacing and stress. Breeding season can be stressful as birds fend off others in defense of territories or mates. Removing the aggressors or using visual and physical barriers provides peace.

Methods of encouraging penguins to get off of their feet can be used as an aid to improve their physical health. The kings at SeaWorld Orlando are condi�oned to take daily walks together to a ramp that leads them into the pool. As they get close to the water’s edge, a “dinner bell” is rung rewarding them with a pool feeding including some of their favorite fish, Herring!

Disease/Medical Treatment Frequent weights and veterinary visits as well as the monitoring of trends and issues will be a beneficial ref-erence tool. Pictures and video of condi�on progression and changes as penguins age are invaluable. Some medica�ons work differently depending on the individuals making detailed record keeping vital.

Mild to severe arthri�s can be managed with a common method of treatment including Cosequin® (a joint health supplement) along with Meloxicam (an NSAID), Tramadol (a synthe�c opiate), Gabapen�n (an�-seizure/an�-convulsant used for arthri�s pain), and or Ibuprofen (also an NSAID). There doesn’t seem to be a huge correla�on between age and foot issues, like Pododerma��s, but it may be a secondary issue from the lack of mobility and interest to swim. There has yet to be an effec�ve cure dis-covered.

Neoplasia, while incurable, can be treated with radia�on and or chemotherapy, surgery, or pallia�on pre-scribing high doses of steroids and pain medica�ons. Con nued on page 25



Aspergillosis can be treated and cured with an�fungals such as Voriconazole, Terbinafine, and Amphotericin B. Stem Cell injec�ons have an�-inflammatory proper�es which are used to treat both arthri�s and bumble-foot. There is no good treatment for Gout and Atherosclerosis.

Cataracts can be treated with a fairly quick surgery and recovery period, leaving the birds with the ability to maneuver around the exhibit, breed, and self-sufficiently feed with ease.

For the older females that lay abnormal eggs, or in one case, a reproduc�ve tract was par�ally removed at the Brookfield Zoo, Lupron® injec�ons help shut down produc�on, protec�ng these females from complica-�ons during the breeding season.

“Beak repair is an art.” says Dr. Todd Schmi� from SeaWorld San Diego. AMer trying several products on bro-ken bills in different climates, he discovered that nail acrylic adheres well to the kera�n and lasts longest in a freezing habitat. For the temperate habitat, a product called Integrity®, a self-mixing dental bridge is working well.

Social media is a growing trend that has evolved over the last few years. This allows guests to share their

experiences with others easily and help spread awareness, but the public’s percep�on can be easily skewed.

AnimalVision.com, a 24 hour interac�ve camera, is one way observers can enjoy viewing different animals in

their environments at home or school, etc. The downfall to this technology is that the viewer cannot have

the sa�sfac�on of having the answers to their ques�ons right away, unlike in person, leaving the percep�on

up to their imagina�on. If an arthri�c penguin is in view and is no�ceably walking differently than the others,

a viewer may perceive that as a lack of care or neglect.

Dr. Roberta Wallace from the Milwaukee County Zoo described aging animals quite well, “Just like other old

animals, many can do quite well for a significant period of �me with pa�ence to baby them a bit and nurse

them along. Some�mes the decision to euthanize is very obvious, other �mes not.”

Having the proper tools in place can jus�fy uncertain�es when making a decision. Here are three different methods used from our AZA facili�es:

Con nued on page 26


Photos taken by SeaWorld San Diego veterinary staff.


Con nued on page 27



Con nued on page 28



Quality of life is a very gray area. With every case comes an opportunity, not a problem. Euthanasia is the last resort when all the op�ons have been exhausted. As our animals age, the goal should be to provide them with a desirable life. Having methods of dealing with their ailments and by developing alterna�ve treatment, we can con�nue to work on improving our care and learn more about these animals. We owe it to ourselves to explore other op�ons and con�nue to expand upon them. While some of this material may not be ground-breaking for you, I hope it will inspire you to take a look at what your facili�es are doing and con�nue to improve upon the lives of animals. AMer all, this is about giving the best possible care.


The Penguin Programme In Ski Dubai Peter Dickinson, Penguin Curator, Snow Penguin, Ski Dubai, Dubai

Penguins in the Middle East? Why not? The first pen-guins to arrive in the United Arab Emirates arrived in Al Ain Zoo circa 1980 and were displayed in a rather inadequate enclosure. They did not do well. The Scien�fic Centre in Kuwait have kept them for a num-ber of years now. The first birds to arrive in Dubai were imported by the Dubai Mall in 2008.

Ski Dubai first opened to the public in 2005. For those of you who are not familiar with Ski Dubai it is a huge Ski Dome a�ached to one end of Mall of the Emirates, one of the premier shopping malls in Dubai. The Ski Dome was built as sort of ‘extra’ to a�ract visitors to the Mall. It very quickly became more than that, becoming famous in its own right and is now firm-ly established as a ‘must see’ for visitors to Dubai. It is not however just a tourist a�rac�on but is a popular amenity which is u�lised daily by residents of Dubai. Skiing and snowboarding take place every day and the exper�se of some of the regular users could easily compare with those using Alpine slopes. It is only a ma�er of �me before we have Emira�s compe�ng and winning in the Winter Olympics.

The Ski Dome comes into periodic cri�cism by Green Groups who have claimed that it uses as much energy to keep cool as a small country. There is no denying the Dome does use some power but it is so well insulat-ed that it actually uses less energy than some Dubai Hotels. This is no mean feat because the temperature inside is maintained at around minus four Cen�grade [24.8F] all year round whilst outside in the summer it is regularly forty five plus degrees [113F+]. Besides, there are indoor Ski Slopes in Europe so why not Dubai?

So where did the idea of Penguins in Ski Dubai come from? There was never any early inten�on of housing animals at all but penguins passed through the minds of several staff shortly aMer opening. It was not un�l early in 2011 that more serious thought was given to the idea. Whatever was decided upon would need some serious planning because there was no way of adding an extension to the dome.

Consultants were brought in, an architect was signed up and planning got under way. I was lucky enough to be offered the post of curator of penguins. The offer was very opportune because, although happily se�led in Thailand, I was looking for a new challenge. I had two offers on the cards but this one was different. I have never claimed to be a ‘trainer’ or an expert on anything much less penguins but I had worked with gentoos in 1967 and had been offered the post based on my curatorial experience and by virtue of the fact I had been working with penguins in Northern China just a few years before. Plus I had worked with innumerable Humboldt’s over the years.

I knew Ski Dubai because I had visited shortly aMer it opened and when I was offered the post it really had no immediate appeal. It went against what I believed in. However I was assured that the company were sincere about conserva�on, educa�on and research and so I accepted. I flew to Dubai to learn more. The manage-ment of Ski Dubai impressed me with their ideas and dedica�on. The idea really seemed to have merit.

Nobody (well hardly anybody) goes to a zoo to be educated. What about a Ski Dome? They may go to learn about skiing but learn about penguins? The more I thought about it the stronger my convic�on became.

Con nued on page 30



We would be in a posi�on to tell a group of people about pollu�on, climate change and penguins; a group of people who may never visit a zoo or read a newspa-per. It was an opportunity to feed the minds of a whole new sector of society.

I arrived in Dubai in September 2011. The first thing I did was start two personal lists. One was ‘Why I believe in Penguins in Ski Dubai’ and the other ‘Why I don’t believe in Penguins in Ski Dubai’. Nothing had been built so I was in from the beginning. I spent days and weeks visualising the project and how it would pull to-gether. We wanted the birds comfortable and ‘happy’. We wanted to provide our public with something new and different, something which had never been done before.

At this point we had no birds and no staff but building got under way. We needed Penguin Trainers. There weren’t any. There were dolphin and sea lion trainers and there were people who had experience with pen-guin marches in various facili�es. We set about interviewing people from all over the world and pulled to-gether a core group of caring people who had different skills from which the whole team and the penguins would benefit. It would be unfair to single out any of them contribu�ng more than the others, but I will. Nikki Morrison who joined us from the Cayman Islands was the leading light of the training team.

As the facility pulled together the team started to arrive. They set to work on wri�ng Standard Opera�ng Procedures and generally familiarising themselves with Penguins. At this point we had no birds although gentoos were our intended spe-cies. We had intended to bring them in from Japan. We even had them in quaran-�ne there. However the UAE denied im-port because of Bird Flu. Then it looked like we would get them from France, then Sweden, then Scotland. We then had a huge stroke of luck and were offered ten

king (Aptenodytes patagonicus) and ten gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) penguins from San Antonio, Texas - third genera�on cap�ve bred.

We sent one of our new team over to the US to familiarise himself with the birds before they leM and to trav-el with them back to Dubai. Back at base, all the other things which needed to be done, purchased and pulled together were well under way. I for one was very happy with the way things were going. We planned and rehearsed the arrival �me and again un�l it was off pat perfect. The birds all arrived in good health on the 1st January 2012.

They were given �me to se�le in and familiarise themselves with their new home. At the same �me the Pen-guin Training Team were watching and learning the characteris�cs of the individual birds. The two species are different and each and every bird is different in its own right. Con nued on page 31



Because the penguins were going to be ex-pected to meet a large number of people every day it was important to desensi�se them to the unfamiliar. We put them through the equivalent of Police Horse Training. Penguins have a lot more going for them than most people can im-agine. They are hardy, clever and loveable birds. Once they were se�led they were divided up amongst the Trainers who became responsible for their care, wellbeing and training. Although we have learned a lot along the way this has not changed. We have a Primary Trainer and a

Secondary Trainer who are wholly responsible for two or three birds. These Training Teams change every few months to avoid the birds being fixated on any par�cular Trainer. Although we had a basic plan of what we wanted to achieve we have always recognised and accepted that change was inevitable and the whole pro-gramme has developed with �me.

Our Penguins are maintained on South Georgia �me so their day length changes throughout the year, month by month. We believe that this is important for both moult and breeding. We have had to adjust the �m-ings but only a li�le. The Penguins wake up early some months and later on others. We try never to disturb them �ll dawn. Their working day starts at twelve noon and goes on �ll about ten in the evening. No team of Penguins works the whole day (though some may like too), they take turns, and all get a ‘day off’ once a week. There are inevitable glitches during moult and breeding but, generally speaking, the whole process works extremely well.

What we offer to our visitors is ‘Penguin Encounters’. The opportunity to meet, learn about and touch a pen-guin. All parts of the penguin programme are important but the touching is probably foremost. Once a visitor has touched a penguin they will surely never feel the same about them ever again. The basic package is the ordinary encounter. This is limited to 12 guests at a �me. The encounters take place every half hour (more oMen if we are busy) and guests must be early in order to get dressed in warm clothes. It is lower than minus four where the encounters take place. The guests are collected by a ‘runner’ who takes them to our pre-encounter room. Here they are shown an instruc�ve video and told what they can and cannot do in the en-counter. This is important. We have people of all na�onali�es visi�ng and there are cultural differences of what is acceptable and what is not. The pre-encounter proves its worth all the �me. The Guests are then taken into ‘Encounter Area one’ where first they get the opportunity to see the penguins swimming in their Penguinarium or standing on the beach. Next the guests are seated and the trainer intro-duces them to two gentoo penguins. All of the trainers have a wonderful rapport with the visitors and edu-cate them whilst the gentoos “edutain” them. Key issues of conserva�on, climate change are imparted. Guests get the opportunity to ask ques�ons and learn more. All the while the gentoos play around their feet,

Con nued on page 32



chase ski�les or retrieve. The guests then have a photographic opportunity and two or three at a �me are asked to go and sit on some rocks. The trainer then asks the birds to go and sit amongst them. Some very memorable photos are taken. Next they proceed through to ‘Encounter Area Two’ to meet the king pen-guins. Another trainer takes over. More informa�on is given and all are given the opportunity to stroke and hug a king penguin. Last ques�ons….and the guests go away happy. We know from regular research that the guests love the experience that we offer. Some make several repeat visits and le�ers of commenda�on are common.

Further to the ordinary encounter, we also offer an ‘Exclusive’ and an ‘Ul�mate’ Encounter. These are for smaller par�es but offer more �me, more informa�on and the opportunity to meet more penguins. They allow the guests supervised tours behind the scenes and up onto the Penguinarium Beach. They are taken through the penguin sleeping quarters, into the kitchen and the filtra�on room. They also meet more of the staff. It is very much a personal tour and we have not had anyone who has not enjoyed it. We add li�le perks like a penguin pain�ng to take home. The ‘Ul�mate’ goes a step further in that guests also get access to a VIP room to rest aMer-

wards and a mug of the famous Ski Dubai hot chocolate.

A recent addi�on to the Encounter programmes is ‘Swimming with Penguins’. This goes a step beyond the ‘Ul�mate’. The swim programme takes place just once a week and is limited to two people at a �me. It takes up more staff �me and so is a li�le more pricey but it is probably a once in a life�me experience for anyone who takes it up.

Moving towards the swim programme we thought we would need to desensi�se the birds to the ac�vity. The staff then took turns either siQng on the side of the pool with their legs in the water or actually going into the pool with the birds. As it turned out the penguins themselves were not fazed at all and posi�vely enjoyed the ac�vity. The birds make the experience unforge�able. The guests themselves very quickly forget that the water temperature is just nine degrees [48.2F] and we have to persuade them to exit to move on with the experience.

Our shop window is our ‘Penguin March’ which is not really a march at all. A march is what was intended but the topography of Ski Dubai does not really lend itself to the ac�vity. Our ‘march’, which can also be viewed from outside of Ski Dubai on a balcony in the Mall, is a short introduc�on to the birds plus a primer on pollu-�on and climate change and an introduc�on to the research work we are sponsoring in Antarc�ca. The March is the only ‘happy clappy’ ac�vity we carry out. Visitors to Ski Dubai love it and so too, all importantly, do our penguins. A few selected visitors are invited in to meet and greet a penguin. Those who were not cho-sen all have the opportunity to purchase a �cket and join a full encounter.

What about breeding? Our birds were young when they joined us at the start of 2012 so we were not too

hopeful of anything during their se�ling in period. They had to adjust to the ligh�ng cycle and a new way of

life. The facili�es themselves do not really lend themselves to breeding. This said, it quickly became obvious

to us that aMer being desensi�sed that our birds were so relaxed that anything was possible. We were not

too surprised then when in 2013 we had two pairs of gentoos each lay two eggs and one pair of kings.

Con nued on page 33



Sadly the eggs did not hatch but we had fer�lity in both. However, in 2015 we had our first king penguin chick parent reared and very healthy. Although we were more than happy to give the breeding pairs a holi-day whilst incuba�ng it wasn’t necessary. The penguins themselves chose to con�nue with encounters and marches when they were not on egg duty.

I haven’t said much about training but then I am not a trainer in the full sense of the word. I have several cer�ficates somewhere for people-training but not for animals….and really there isn’t a huge degree of differ-ence. All zoo keepers train (whether they realise it or not) and all trainers keep (or should). One thing I have always believed is that training is enrichment and I would go so far as to say it is the most important form of enrichment. All our training is posi�ve, there is no nega�ve and many of our birds are as happy with a word or stroke reward as they are with a fish treat. I would like to give very special thanks to the Penguin Team, both past and present who have worked so hard to pull together what is a unique world class experience. The present team is made up of trainers from South Africa, Sweden, Mexico, England, the Philippines, India and Ethiopia and not forgeQng our twenty five king and gentoo penguins. Between us we know we have only just scratched the surface of what these remarka-ble birds are capable of. And my lists? A long �me ago the one took over from the other. I now firmly believe that Penguins in Ski Dubai was and is a very good idea.


Penguin Listserv Update

A ques�on was posed as to what diets are fed to penguins.


Original Listserv Ques�on

Just curious as to what else other facili�es feed their pen-guins. I would like to try and get a bit more of a variety into their diet, especially for those birds that will only eat capelin at the moment. Also does anyone have a supplier for smaller sized herring?

Long Island Aquarium and Exhibit Center African

We currently have our penguins on a diet of mostly capelin and some of them will also eat herring. We currently just cherry pick some smaller ones [herring] out of our boxes but some-�mes they are just all too big.

California Academy of Sciences, Steinhart Aquarium African We feed day smelt in addi�on to the herring and capelin.

Calgary Zoo

Humboldt, king, rockhopper, gentoo

For complete nutri�on we feed them a mix of capelin, herring, ocean smelt, squid and we make sure that none of the food types is over 30% of their diet over the course of 1 week. We also feed krill weekly but that is more for enrichment (though we see a big difference in the coloura�on of their beaks and feet). We do yearly x-rays of the penguins to check for coins in the fall aMer the busy season. We have a plas�c box that the penguins lay in for a quick x-ray. It works well. We tried metal detectors but they were too sensi�ve; they picked up the rebar in the exhibit and the metal in our boots. The penguins had no issues with the wands but we found them to be very unreliable. Pre�y much all our herring is small, so much so that even the small southern rockhoppers eat them no problem. For the her-ring we get it from Pacific Salmon Industries Inc., 8305 128th Str, Surrey, BC Canada (604) 501-7602.

News and Updates

♦ A movie about a Maremma dog that protects a colony of li�le blue penguins opened in Australia on 17 September. “Oddball” is based on the true-life Middle Island Maremma Dog Project. The project was started in 2006 to protect the Middle Island Li�le Blue Penguins from fox preda�on. The dogs stay on the island to ward off the foxes that can access the island via a sandbar that appears during warmer months. Learn more about the project at h�p://www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/middle-island-maremma-project.

♦ The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony announced in September that it has received approval to expand. On the south island of New Zealand, the Oamaru penguin colony is a popular tourist a�rac�on. The expan-sion plan is not yet finalized but may likely enlarge the visitor center to make it more research-focused.

♦ In September several ar�cles were published in the popular media expressing alarm for the drop in sea-bird popula�ons and the impact of plas�cs in the oceans on seabirds (ACer 60 million years of extreme

living, seabirds are crashing, The Guardian, 22 September 2015, h�p://www.theguardian.com/environment/radical-conserva�on/2015/sep/22/aMer-60-million-years-of-extreme-living-seabirds-are-crashing; Seabirds suffering massive popula on declines, CBS News, 14 July 2015, h�p://www.cbsnews.com/news/seabirds-suffering-massive-popula�on-declines.). Most recently, research published in a paper by Paleczny et al, shows seabird popula�ons are suffering severe declines (see link in Recommended References). Palezny calls for the crea�on of Interna�onal Marine Protected Areas to protect seabirds. Less than 1% of the ocean is closed to fisheries and only 2% of the world’s oceans are under any form of protec�on.

♦ Plas�cs are also cited as a looming threat with up to 90% of seabird species believed to carry plas�c in their stomachs according to a study published in August. The researchers used modeling to evaluate the rela�ve oceanographic concentra�on of plas�c and seabird exposure. The model was then used to pre-dict the risk to seabird species globally. It was a surprise that the highest predicted impact is expected to be the Southern Ocean boundary and stated that plas�c inges�on is increasing among seabirds, including penguins. Plas�c inges�on is a concern both because the plas�c bits can build up in the stomach and occlude space for food as well as for the ability of plas�cs to bind and concentrate environmental pollu-tants that are released aMer inges�on.

♦ Also in August, the debate con�nues in South Africa regarding the best approach to saving the African penguin. While commercial fishing was banned in four key areas seven years ago in an effort to address the African penguin popula�on decline, fisheries scien�sts are skep�cal that fisheries ac�vi�es are re-sponsible for the drop in numbers. Both fisheries and bird scien�sts agree that the penguin decline be-gan in 2004 when anchovies and sardines shiMed south away from the colonies. Though the cause for the shiM is unknown, penguin scien�sts believe that fisheries compe��on is a factor. They contend that as a result of the shiM penguins must now swim farther to find fish both for themselves and for provision-ing chicks, oMen abandoning chicks when sufficient food is not available. Fisheries scien�sts opposing the ban cite causes other than fishing as being responsible for the drop in penguin numbers, including fur seal and shark preda�on, and argue that there is enough fish for both penguins and fisherman. But pen-guin scien�sts are advoca�ng con�nuing the ban un�l more can be learned about the complicated fac-tors affec�ng African penguins in South Africa. Fortunately, in the mean�me, SANCCOB is working to rescue abandoned chicks through their Chick Bolstering Project.

Con nued on page 36



♦ In August the Alexander Center for Applied Popula�on Biology (Lincoln Park Zoo) announced the finaliza-�on of the Penguin TAG Popula�on Viability Assessment (PVA) summary report. The report will be avail-able on the AZA Penguin TAG webpage www.zoopenguins.org. Included in this report is a comparison of all penguin PVA results as well as the 2-page PVA summary report for each of the 11 programs.

♦ Moody Gardens announced in August they will be renova�ng the Aquarium Pyramid in “waves”. In Wave 1 the Aquarium Pyramid will be closed through November 13. In Wave 3, the Pyramid will be open but the penguin exhibit will be closed for 3 months aMer the first of the year. The renova�on will include the addi�on of a new tropical penguin exhibit.

♦ August: Some�mes the most obvious solu�on is the best. The Chessington Zoo (Surrey, UK) now hands out “nose pegs” to visitors to help them enjoy the new Penguin Bay exhibit without any olfactory discom-fort. h�p://travel.aol.co.uk/2015/08/01/nose-pegs-chessington-zoo-penguin-poo-smell-picture.

♦ In August a study published in Geophysical Research Le�ers suggests that shiMs in wind currents over the past 30 years have moved the Equatorial Undercurrent north, bringing nutrient-rich colder water further north along the coasts of the Isabela and Fernandina Islands. As a consequence, the study authors con-tend, the Galapagos penguin popula�on has nearly doubled due to bolstered fish numbers. This is an-other example of the poten�al complicated effects and outcomes of climate change which may inadvert-ently benefit some species while many others will be put at risk.

♦ The Guadalajara Zoo welcomed several Adelie penguins to their new Reino de Pinguinos (Kingdom of Penguins) a�rac�on in July.

♦ At the 64th Interna�onal Conference of the Wildlife Disease Associa�on 2015 a poster was presented by Anna-Karina Gonzalez Argandona et al �tled Forced Moult in Sub-Antarc�c Yellow-eyed Penguins (Megadyptes an podes). The penguins were referred to Massey Wildbase in 2014 for poor plumage as well as other medical concerns. The poster describes the oral administra�on of fresh beef thyroid to in-duce molt in the penguins. This induced molt was cited as being complete at about fourteen days post treatment. The penguins were subsequently released aMer the full feather replacement. These findings were also reported at the 2015 Effects of Oil on Wildlife Conference in Alaska in May.

♦ The San Diego Zoo launched a penguin web cam in June to showcase a pair of African penguins in their Children’s Zoo. The Zoo will soon be home to up to 50 African penguins when its new Penguin Beach ex-hibit opens in 2017. h�p://patch.com/california/ramona/new-penguin-cam-san-diego-zoo-0.

♦ The Global Penguin Society published a new educa�onal booklet in May. The booklet, �tled MEN-SAJEROS DEL MAR (Sea Messengers), will be distributed, free, to schools in South America where

penguin species occur. h�ps://www.facebook.com/GLOBAL-PENGUIN-SOCIETY-GPS-202636488994/�meline/. ♦ Penguin and Puffin Coast at the St. Louis Zoo reopened in April aMer being closed for about a year and a

half during construc�on of the adjacent Polar Bear Point.


Recommended References

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COME). Vet Ophthalmol 18(1): 86-93. h�p://dx.doi.org/10.1111/vop.12123. Clark RD, Mathieu R and Seddon PJ. 2015. SELECTION FOR PROTECTION FROM INSOLATION RESULTS IN THE VISUAL ISOLATION OF YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN MEGADYPTES ANTIPODES NESTS. Bird Conserv Int 25(2): 192-206. h�p://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0959270914000082. Clements J and Sanchez JN. 2015. CREATION AND VALIDATION OF A NOVEL BODY CONDITION SCORING METHOD FOR THE MAG-ELLANIC PENGUIN (SPHENISCUS MAGELLANICUS) IN THE ZOO SETTING. Zoo Biol h�p://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21241. Dougnac C, Pardo C, Meza K, Arredondo C, Blank O, Abalos P, Vidal R, Fernandez A, Fredes F and Retamal P. 2014. DETECTION OF SALMONELLA ENTERICA IN MAGELLANIC PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS MAGELLANICUS) OF CHILEAN PATAGONIA: EVIDENCES OF INTER-SPECIES TRANSMISSION. Epidemiol Infect 143(6): 1187-1193. h�p://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0950268814002052.

Ellenberg U, Edwards E, Ma�ern T, Hiscock JA, Wilson R, Edmonds H. 2015. ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF NEST SEARCHES ON BREED-ING BIRDS – A CASE STUDY ON FIORDLAND CRESTED PENGUINS (EUDYPTES PACHYRHYNCHUS). N Z J Ecol 39(2): 231-244. Pub-lished online at h�p://www.newzealandecology.org/nzje.

Finger A, Lavers JL, Dann P, Nugegoda D, Orbell JD, Robertson B, Scarpaci C. 2015. THE LITTLE PENGUIN (EUDYPTULA MINOR) AS AN INDICATOR OF COASTAL TRACE METAL POLLUTION. Environ Pollut 205: 365-377. h�p://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2015.06.022.

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Events and Announcements

♦ African Penguin Awareness Day: 17 October 2015 www.facebook.com/africanpengins.

♦ 2nd World Seabird Conference: 26-30 October 2015, Cape Town, South Africa, www.worldseabirdconference.com.

♦ Penguin Awareness Day: 20 January 2016.

♦ Interna�onal Earth Hour: 19 March 2016 www.earthhour.org. ♦ Earth Day: 22 April 2016 www.earthday.org.

♦ World Penguin Day: 25 April 2016.

♦ Endangered Species Day: 20 May 2016 www.endangered.org.

♦ 3RD Annual Tuxedo Trot 5K: 21 May 2016. Presented by the Greensboro Science Center, www.tuxedotrot.com. Jessica Hoffman, Curator of Birds and Mammals at the Center, shared on the listserv “We actually host a 5K race (and a kids fun run) �tled Tuxedo Trot and promoted by our ambas-sador penguin Tux. All proceeds from this event go to support SANCCOB. We encourage runners to wear fun black and white-themed costumes, and have a "fish" runner that starts out the race for the penguins to "catch". We also have penguin-themed awards for various categories“. In 2015 this event raised $12,847.90 for SANCCOB!

♦ World Oceans Day: 8 June 2016 www.worldoceansday.org.

♦ Interna�onal Penguin Congress 9 (IPC9): 5-9 September 2016, Cape Town, South Africa. Contact Lauren Waller, Chair organizing commi�ee at [email protected]. Heather Urquhart wrote the Listserv on 5 October: “If you haven’t already heard the 9

th Interna onal Penguin Congress (a name

change for this conference) will be held in Cape Town, South Africa - September 5-9, 2016. The call for

abstracts is a"ached [Eds. note: we’ve included the call for abstracts in this issue] – they are due by end

of December 2015. There will be a session dedicated to showcasing how zoos and aquaria support pen-

guin conserva on efforts in the wild. This event is a great networking and learning opportunity so put on

your thinking caps and submit some abstracts.”

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